Tennessee Bills

HB 1516 creates a process to prevent budget impasses between city governments and local school systems (LEAs) in Tennessee. If a city council and school board fail to agree on a budget by August 31, the previous year’s budget (meeting minimum state funding requirements) automatically continues. For municipal operations, if a city council misses the fiscal year start deadline, the prior year’s budget continues until a new one is adopted, with strict limits allowing only a three-month extension (with comptroller approval) for extraordinary circumstances. The bill directly affects all Tennessee municipalities with school systems and aims to ensure uninterrupted funding for schools and city services during budget negotiations.

SB 1665 amends Tennessee law to explicitly include "honorifics" (such as "Mx." or "Dr.") alongside names and pronouns in prohibitions against requiring students, teachers, state employees, or contractors to use or provide specific identifiers. The bill updates multiple sections of the Tennessee Code (including education, employment, and contractor regulations) to replace phrases like "names and pronouns" with "names, pronouns, and honorifics." This change means state entities cannot mandate the use of specific honorifics, just as they cannot mandate preferred names or pronouns. The law affects all public education staff, state workers, and state contractors in Tennessee.

HB 1666 amends Tennessee laws to expand protections against being required to use a person's preferred identity markers. It adds "honorifics" (like Mr., Ms., or Mx.) to existing prohibitions in state education, employment, and contracting rules, alongside names and pronouns. The bill directly affects students, teachers, state employees, and contractors by clarifying that entities cannot compel them to use specific honorifics, pronouns, or names. Key changes update multiple sections of Tennessee Code (including Titles 8, 49, and Chapter 50) to replace "names and pronouns" with "names, pronouns, and honorifics" throughout relevant statutes. The bill focuses on defining prohibited requirements, not mandating new practices.

HB 2045 allows Tennessee political candidates and officeholders to spend up to $12,000 annually from campaign funds specifically for residential security at their personal homes, rather than treating these expenses as personal use. The bill requires such spending to be disclosed as "residential security" and mandates that all documentation be maintained for audits. It also specifies that audit records related to these expenditures must remain confidential and not be publicly accessible. This bill directly affects state-level candidates and officeholders who use campaign funds for home security measures.

SB 1490 allows local historical boards in Tennessee to lease their land (5+ contiguous acres for crops, less than 5 for hay or similar crops) to farmers. All money earned from these leases must be used solely to preserve historic sites and structures under the board's management. Boards must submit annual reports detailing these leases and how the funds were spent to the Tennessee Historical Commission. This bill directly affects local historical commissions and preservation groups by creating a new revenue stream for maintaining historic properties.

SB 1493 creates a Class A felony offense for knowingly training AI systems that encourage suicide, criminal homicide, or develop emotional relationships with users. It specifically prohibits AI chatbots from simulating human appearance/voice, acting as a mental health professional, or prompting users to isolate from family or share sensitive information. The bill directly affects AI developers and companies creating chatbots that meet its definitions, excluding standard customer service bots, video game features, and basic voice assistants. Violators face criminal penalties and civil lawsuits allowing victims to seek $150,000 in liquidated damages or actual harm compensation.

HB 1455 would make it a Class A felony in Tennessee to knowingly train artificial intelligence systems that encourage suicide, criminal homicide, or develop emotional relationships with users. The bill specifically targets AI developers who create systems simulating human interaction (e.g., voice, appearance) or providing false mental health support, while excluding standard customer service bots, video game features, and basic voice assistants. Violators face criminal charges and civil lawsuits allowing victims to seek $150,000 in damages plus emotional distress compensation. The law directly affects AI developers and companies creating consumer-facing chatbots, not end-users.

HB 162 amends Tennessee law to allow the division of property assessment to submit its annual report to the state board of equalization using electronic formats (e.g., email or online systems) instead of requiring physical copies. This change directly affects the division of property assessment, a state agency responsible for property tax assessments, and the state board of equalization, which receives the report. The bill updates reporting procedures without altering the report's content or requirements, streamlining administrative processes. It does not impact taxpayers or change tax policies.

HB 489 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to submit an annual report by February 1st on the effectiveness of programs that divert offenders from state correctional facilities. The report must be sent to three specific legislative committees: the House committee on criminal justice, the Senate judiciary committee, and the Senate fiscal review committee. This bill amends Tennessee law to establish this reporting requirement but does not change existing diversion programs or policies. The measure focuses on creating a regular process for legislative oversight of current correctional practices.

SB 198 allows Tennessee's property assessment division to submit its annual report to the State Board of Equalization electronically instead of in paper format. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 67, specifically Section 67-1-202(a)(7), to permit this electronic submission method. This change directly affects the property assessment division (which prepares the report) and the State Board of Equalization (which receives it). The law makes no other policy changes - only updates the required report delivery method.

SB 254 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to submit an annual report by February 1st on the effectiveness of diverting offenders from state prisons. The report must be sent to the House Criminal Justice Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee, and Fiscal Review Committee. This bill amends Tennessee law to establish this specific reporting requirement for diversion programs, focusing on how well they reduce prison populations. It directly affects the Department of Correction (which must file the report) and the three legislative committees (which will review it). The bill is procedural and does not change diversion program rules or funding.

SB 599 extends the reporting deadline for certain nonprofits partnering with Tennessee's Governor's Books from Birth Fund. It changes the requirement from 90 days to 180 days after the nonprofit's fiscal year ends, giving these organizations more time to report operations and accomplishments to the governor and legislative leaders. This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Section 4-52-109, specifically updating the reporting timeframe without altering the program's purpose or funding. The change applies only to nonprofit public benefit corporations under this specific grant program.